WildLife Group of the SAVA
One of the major goals of the Cheetah Metapopulation Project is to initiate human mediated gene flow to ensure the genetic heath of the metapopulation . Since the inception of the Cheetah Metapopulation Project in June 2011 , 112 cheetah have been moved between metapopulation reserves . Twenty-three ( 21 %) of these cheetahs died in transit . Most died during immobilisation ( 87 %, n = 20 ), whilst three cheetah were lost due to darting and collar complications . The high incidence of cheetah mortalities whilst in transit threatens the viability of the metapopulation project . The continued loss of cheetahs related directly to management actions , raises welfare and ethical concerns that need to be weighed up against conservation benefits . Here we discuss the future role of the wildlife vet in ensuring healthy levels of gene flow between wildlife populations that exist in fenced systems . We highlight the need for good genetic management and the requirement for research on preferred immobilisation techniques that will minimise the loss of wild cheetah in transit .
Rhino Orphans β Lessons Learned https :// vimeo . com / 216812453 Albertus Coetzee 1 and Ferreira du Plessis 2
1
West Acres Animal Hospital , 53 Figtree Street , Nelspruit , South Africa
2
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency
Background Poaching has been creating major challenges by producing rhino orphans that veterinarians and care-givers need to deal with . Often these orphans run around for days on end before being located . The capture and initial veterinary treatment of these orphans can be challenging . Most of the areas where the rhinos originate from are remote and the initial stabilization is crucial in successful treatment . The purpose of the presentation will point out veterinary aspects of assessment , diagnostics and decision making .
Outline of presentation Assessment at capture or arrival at care centre - Vital signs - Consider dehydration , hypotension , hypoglycaemia , hypothermia , hypoxia and sepsis as likely problems - Ensure venous access - Check for damage to eyes place doughnut type blindfold . - Draw blood samples , ( serum , heparin and EDTA ) for immediate blood glucose and further analysis
- Antimicrobial therapy : Ampicillin or Benzyl Penicillin plus Genta if not dehydrated . Can also consider ceftiofur 5mg / kg IV
Address basic needs - Sedation - Temperature regulation - Fluid intake or drip therapy - Nutrition β the challenge to pass a naso-gastric tube !
Diagnostics - Full blood count , biochemistry and electrolytes - Radiographs - Wound assessment
Therapeutic plan - Control infection - Anti-inflammatory treatment - Ulcer treatment
Discussion of lessons learned - Ocular damage - Immunosuppression - Preliminary sharing of biochemistry findings - Passing of a naso-gastric tube for feeding - Placing a long-term catheter in medial cephalic vein - Managing low protein levels - Managing low blood glucose - Managing diarrhoea - Milk substitute used - Future projects
20
WildLife Group
of the SAVA
One of the major goals of the Cheetah
Metapopulation Project is to initiate human
mediated gene flow to ensure the genetic heath
of the metapopulation. Since the inception of the
Cheetah Metapopulation Project in June 2011, 112
cheetah have been moved between metapopulation
reserves. Twenty-three (21%) of these cheetahs
died in transit. Most died during immobilisation
(87%, n=20), whilst three cheetah were lost due to
darting and collar complications. The high incidence
of cheetah mortalities whilst in transit threatens the
viability of the metapopulation project. The continued
loss of cheetahs related directly to management
actions, raises welfare and ethical concerns that
need to be weighed up against conservation benefits.
Here we discuss the future role of the wildlife vet in
ensuring healthy levels of gene flow between wildlife
populations that exist in fenced systems. We highlight
the need for good genetic management and the
requirement for research on preferred immobilisation
techniques that will minimise the loss of wild cheetah
in transit.
Rhino Orphans β Lessons Learned
https://vimeo.com/216812453
Albertus Coetzee and Ferreira du Plessis
1
2
West Acres Animal Hospital, 53 Figtree Street,
Nelspruit, South Africa
2
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency
1
Background
Poaching has been creating major challenges by
producing rhino orphans that veterinarians and
care-givers need to deal with. Often these orphans
run around for days on end before being located.
The capture and initial veterinary treatment of these
orphans can be challenging. Most of the areas where
the rhinos originate from are remote and the initial
stabilization is crucial in successful treatment. The
purpose of the presentation will point out veterinary
aspects of assessment, diagnostics and decision
making.
20
Outline of presentation
Assessment at c
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